Weekend Digest: Dh100m lottery winner, Dh1 million fines for overcrowding, Eid Al Adha likely date & more
Here’s your roundup of the top trending stories making headlines this weekend
It’s been a busy week in the UAE and around the world with major announcements, an army promotion and a lucky lottery winner. Highlights include Oman granting citizenship to 156 expats, Dh1m fines for residential overcrowding, and Emirates Draw's first Dh100m winner. Likely date for Eid, glam housewife-turned-CEO, and what a Field Marshal rank really means for the Pakistan Army Chief. An explainer on UAE’s Etihad rail launch, and nine cases where your employer can terminate your contract. We’re rounding up the week so you can quickly catch up on what you might have missed. Scroll down to stay in the loop.
Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik has issued a royal decree granting Omani citizenship to more than 150 expatriates. Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik issued Royal Decree No. 17/2025 granting Omani citizenship to 156 people.
The Department of Municipalities and Transport in Abu Dhabi continues its campaign titled “Your Home, Your Responsibility” to tackle the issue of residential overcrowding. As part of this campaign, Abu Dhabi City Municipality has launched inspection operations targeting overcrowded housing, with the objective of ensuring a safer and more organised residential environment for all.
Emirates Draw on Thursday revealed the details of its first global winner of Dh100million lottery.
Sriram Rajagopalan, a retired engineer living in Chennai, India, is the lucky winner who hit the $27million jackpot in March, announced Tycheros, an Isle of Man-based lottery company operating Emirates Draw in 175 countries via its online platforms.
Eid Al Adha is expected to fall on Friday, June 6, 2025, in the UAE, based on astronomical calculations.
According to Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Emirates Astronomical Society, Wednesday, May 28, is likely to mark the first day of Dhu Al Hijjah.
'I could’ve just shopped but built a business instead'.
Anita Surani had all the makings of a classic rich Dubai housewife: a mansion on the Palm, a pink G-Wagon for her teen daughter, and ceilings literally gilded in 24-karat gold. But instead of sipping oat lattes and matcha tea in Louboutins all day, she rolled up her designer sleeves and built a design company from scratch — mostly staffed by women.
What it really means to be a Field Marshal?
Topic started trending after the Pakistan Government promoted Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir to the rank of Field Marshal, the highest possible military designation, reserved for exceptional service and wartime leadership.
Etihad Rail has confirmed the launch date for its passenger train service in the UAE, marking a major milestone for transport in the country. Work is ongoing to expand a network that will eventually connect 11 cities across all seven emirates.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has identified nine specific cases in which an employment contract between a worker and an employer in the private sector may be legally terminated. This move aims to safeguard the rights of both parties in the employment relationship in a balanced manner that aligns with the future vision and aspirations of the labour market in the UAE.
Several major banks operating in the UAE plan to increase the minimum required balance for current accounts from Dh3,000 to Dh5,000 starting June 1, according to the UAE Central Bank’s regulations on personal loans.
Parkin, Dubai’s public parking operator, has announced that parking subscriptions are now available across all areas it manages. The update was shared via the company’s social media channels on Monday, May 19.
